Politicians aim for shooters' votes

Reid, Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., Republican Gov. Jim Gibbons and Democratic gubernatorial candidate and Harry Reid progeny Rory Reid all took turns declaring their support for gun rights in Nevada, a wide-open Western state where Democrats and Republicans love shooting.

It was the elder Reid who came loaded with the biggest political weapon, a flattering speech from Wayne LaPierre, chief executive officer of the National Rifle Association, a gun rights organization with 3.5 million members and a $120 million annual budget.

"He is a true champion of the Second Amendment," LaPierre said of Reid.

"These weapons become our friends. This weapon is my friend," Reid said of his 75-year-old rifle.

Reid was just one of several politicians who used the dedication of the park as a platform to support gun rights.

4. The NRA has expanded beyond it's original purpose

as simply a social club for rifle enthusiasts in to a general pro-2nd amendment group (due entirely to anti-2nd amendment groups).

The second amendment is not in there to protect our rights to hunt.

/try to ban Chess and the North American Chess association will suddenly become very political. If you want the NRA to go away or lose most of it's influence then work on getting rid of the anti-gun movement it is responding to.